Fulton to host pumpkin carving contest

Officials with Fulton’s Parks and Recreation Department are hoping local residents will channel their inner Edward Scissorhands for a new Halloween-themed contest.

The city is hosting Pumpkins in the Park — a pumpkin-carving competition — at the covered bridge on the Stinson Creek Trail on Oct. 29.

“We don’t really have a fall event, and we thought this would be something interesting to give as an additional activity for the public,” said Fulton recreational programmer Sharlene McArtor. “We’re going to organize them along the Stinson Creek Trail, starting at the covered bridge. We’ll leave them on display the entire Halloween weekend.”

Carving kings and queens are being asked to bring their best jack-o’-lantern efforts to the covered bridge next to Memorial Field from 2-6 p.m. — entries will be recorded for judging purposes. At 6 p.m., the jack-o’-lanterns will be lit and left aglow until the candles burn out. Prizes will be granted to the scariest, most original and biggest pumpkins. Owners can retrieve their pumpkins on Monday, Oct. 31. The city will dispose of any unclaimed jack-o’-lantern.